Bellator boss: No deal with ex-UFC champ Ricco Rodriguez

Ricco Rodriguez has not joined the Bellator Fighting Championships roster.

Although the fighter recently gave an interview in which he said he has signed a contract with the promotion, an official denied those claims.

Bellator Chairman and CEO told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) he’s impressed by Rodriguez’s recent career resurgence but hasn’t signed the fighter to the organization.

“Ricco’s a great fighter enjoying a spectacular rebirth to his career, but he is not signed to Bellator,” Rebeny said when reached for comment.

Rodriguez, who’s fought in 17 different promotions during his past 18 fights, had been signed for a Bellator 31 fight with Dave Herman before a knee injury forced him off the September 2010 card.

Nevertheless, the heavyweight, who recently competed in a 215-pound catchweight fight as he slims down, owns a 10-fight win streak going back to July 2009. He’s also won 16 of his past 18 fights. During a UFC run from 2001-2003, he briefly held the organization’s heavyweight title.

Rodriguez (45-11) currently is slated to fight fellow UFC vet James McSweeney (4-6) at BAMMA 5 in England on Feb. 26.

Bellator has its first-ever light-heavyweight tournament planned for its upcoming fourth season, which debuts March 5 on MTV2. Only half of the eight-man field has been unveiled, but it appears Rodriguez won’t be a future addition.

For more on Bellator’s upcoming season, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.